I am not a crafty person, in the traditional sense of the word. If we are talking about being crafty in the sense of sneaking vegetables into my kids’ pizza sauce or in the sense of convincing my husband that me buying new camera toys equipment was his idea, then I am totally crafty. If we’re talking about taking a bunch of supplies and a glue gun and creating something magical, then I am a craftastrophe personified.
This is why we haven’t made a Gingerbread house in a few years. We bought one once. I wanted make everything symmetrical and coordinated and my kids wanted to put the candy decorations on all willy-nilly. With no forethought! Or plan! Or pattern! I finally had to give up the dream and find the humor in the sad little symbol of the Christmas season. It looked nothing like the picture on the box. We might do one this year, but I will have Matthew hide the box in order to save me (and the kids) from myself.
Those who have been around for a few years know that I love pretty paper. I have a craft room and a wide array of paper and embellishments. Here is where I finally confess something that I’ve never shared here before. While I love pretty paper and handmade cards, I am a failure of epic proportions when it comes to original creations. I need an example to follow. This is why my handmade cards have fallen by the wayside – I have no time to look for templates that I can mimic. This is also why I have never scrap-booked a single page in my entire life; I need a pattern to follow.
This past Sunday afternoon I was chained to my laptop working and the kids were begging to make crafts. My husband would rather go to see New Moon (I’m being serious; dude has become enamored with Twilight) than wield a glue gun but he’s a little less, shall we say, particular than his wife. He raided my craft room for pipe cleaners, fuzzy balls (Hee) and other supplies. He and the kids went to town to create three masterpieces.
Graham created this:
He told me that it’s a “Dragonoid.”
Nathan created this:
When I asked him what it was he replied, “I think it’s a bunny.” Alrighty then.
Emily created this:
She told me that it’s a “Dragonette.” Of course it is. Every time (EVERY TIME) I call her “Dude” she corrects me and tells me that she’s a “Dudette.”
The kids had a blast, Matthew honed his glue-gun skills and I realized that maybe being crafty is a lot more fun when you throw out the high expectations and just enjoy the experience. Kind of like life, I suppose.
ha! this sounds like it was written about me. Shawn says that I have to plan my fun and if it’s not part of the plan, I’m not participating. serves him right for marrying a type-A lady
.-= hillary´s last blog ..Help =-.
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angella Reply:
November 19th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Word.
(Our poor husbands.)
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For some, being artistic doesn’t happen alone. I was in a watercolor group for many years and the opportunity to come together on Saturdays and share our work with one another sparked many new ideas.
I think it’s that way with any art form- including paper.
It’s always good to read your blog and see such a happy family- it makes my day!
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angella Reply:
November 19th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Aw, thanks! And yes, when I get together with friends to make cards it’s much more fun. It’s been way too long…
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I have an overwhelming urge to buy some pipe cleaners. THE SPARKLY KIND.
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angella Reply:
November 19th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
There are SPARKLY PIPE CLEANERS? Oh, I am SO buying some.
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that is awesome! My husband runs from the crafts-seriously he runs!
an awesome investment is a little vat thing that melts the glue sticks-you then can use chop sticks, dowels, or nail sticks to apply the needed glue-that is if he wants to keep up with the hot gluing!
.-= Domestic Extraordinaire´s last blog ..Meet Anissa =-.
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angella Reply:
November 19th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
I didn’t know about those! (I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to be getting craft advice. Hee.)
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Graham’s looks like a flamingo without legs. Awesome.
I love crafting. I hope I can have craft dates with my nephew. BLISS.
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angella Reply:
November 19th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
You should plan one! I think he’d love it (as will you).
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I have a hard time with this too, I think it’s the Type A thing
.-= Kami’s Khlopchyk´s last blog ..Parenting. It’s Harder than I Thought =-.
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angella Reply:
November 19th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
That appears to be the case.
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Craftiness is so fun. The cleanup… not so much.
.-= Elizabeth´s last blog ..Perspective… =-.
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angella Reply:
November 19th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
EXACTLY.
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This post just made me want to finger paint. At work. Let’s make this happen, people!
.-= Kerri Anne´s last blog ..Snapshots Of A Week =-.
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angella Reply:
November 19th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
GREAT IDEA. I’d love to finger paint with you, any day.
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You and I are so similar! I can’t play with Legos, unless I am putting something together by following directions. I SUCK and just doing it all on a whim. And since I’m not creative, I usually just don’t do any of it.
I should throw caution to the wind more often and just have FUN with it!
.-= Kristabella´s last blog ..Kibble and Bits =-.
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angella Reply:
November 19th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
YES. Re: The Legos – I’M THE SAME. Graham can sit down and make intricate creations that blow my mind. He even made a Bionicle WITHOUT the instructions.
Me? I follow each step in painstaking detail.
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Well, as you know, I’m definitely all about the craftiness, and I’m always dabbling in at least a few crafts. BUT … here’s my guilty confession … I lack the (huge amounts of) patience required to do crafts with my kids. We do sometimes, but not as much as I think the kids would like. It’s my type A personality coming in … much like you with the gingerbread house, I have extremely strong urges to “suggest” what they should do next and where to put things, LOL!
I love your kids’ awesome creations!
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Oh I love Dragonoids and Dragonettes! They’re my favorite animals. Bunnies are a close runner up though.
Awesome. I love kids’ creations.
.-= Danica´s last blog ..Meme – Why Not =-.
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Fun!
I love the “dragonette”, ha ha!
.-= Kristin´s last blog ..Cuteness from yesterday.* =-.
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You really can’t go wrong with pipe cleaners. Loving the “Dragonette!”
.-= Elaine´s last blog ..PSF – Prettier Picture – UPDATED* =-.
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